The Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) Faculty of Law, invited by the China Law Society and the Macau SAR Government Legal Affairs Bureau, organized a group of 10 students to participate in the 2023 "Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China Youth Legal Exchange Week" from July 9th to 15th in Beijing and Shenzhen. In addition to our university's students and staff, law students from other higher education institutions in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as eight members of the Macau Legal Exchange and Cooperation Association, also participated in this exchange week.
Group photo at the opening ceremony
The exchange week was hosted by the China Law Society, with the China Law Academic Exchange Center, the Macau SAR Government Legal Affairs Bureau, and the Shenzhen Law Society as the organizers. During the event, the organizers invited a series of renowned legal experts to record videos on Xi Jinping's ideology of the rule of law, the constitution, and the "One Country, Two Systems" principle for the participants to watch. The participants also visited institutions such as the Supreme People's Court, the Shenzhen International Arbitration Court, and the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, as well as held symposiums. Additionally, activities such as the Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum were organized to further enhance the exchange and interaction between the youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland.
2023 Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum
The "Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China Youth Legal Exchange Week" was founded in 2008 and has become an important platform for legal exchange among the youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland. Since its establishment, the M.U.S.T. Faculty of Law has actively responded to the call and organized students to participate in the event, contributing to deepening the understanding of mainland China among Macau students and promoting dialogue and exchange between the youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland.
M.U.S.T. Faculty of Law students and staff during the exchange activities
Testimonials from Faculty and Students of the Faculty of Law:
Assistant Professor Peng Yunpeng (Faculty of Law)
Faculty advisor Assistant Professor Peng Yunpeng expressed that the ten students from the M.U.S.T. Faculty of Law had a fruitful week of exchange in Beijing and Shenzhen. Through participating in lectures, forums, and visiting institutions such as the Supreme People's Court, they had the opportunity to exchange ideas, gain a deeper understanding of the country's situation and society, and observe the process of legal operations. These experiences have been immensely valuable. The combination of "reading thousands of books" and "traveling thousands of miles" is highly beneficial for studying law. The students also formed strong friendships during this study trip, and they can continue to maintain communication in the future, which is an invaluable outcome of this activity.
IP KUONG IN (Master of Juris, Faculty of Law)
Looking back at the past week, under the careful organization and arrangements of the organizers and co-organizing institutions, we had the opportunity to visit the capital, Beijing, and institutions such as the Central Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the Supreme People's Court. We also traveled to the forefront of reform and opening-up, Shenzhen, and visited institutions such as the Shenzhen International Arbitration Court and the First Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court. In the Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum, I learned about the discussions on the development and cooperation of the Greater Bay Area, opportunities and paths for youth integration and development, and the mission and responsibilities of the youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland in the current era. It was a fulfilling experience, and I had the memorable opportunity to deliver a speech on stage as a young participant from Macau.
I am delighted to have had the opportunity to exchange ideas and progress together with young lawyers and fellow students during this event. This experience has deepened our understanding and awareness of the rule of law construction in our motherland and allowed us to personally witness the development and progress of the country's economy and society. I hope that we can contribute our youthful wisdom and strength to the overall development of our country as we integrate ourselves into the national development agenda.
PUN HIO CHENG (Master of Financial Crime and Regulation, Faculty of Law)
I am honored to have participated in the legal exchange week for youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland. It has become a significant milestone on my journey of seeking knowledge and wisdom. In just one week, we visited key legal institutions in Beijing and Shenzhen, engaged in discussions, and consolidated our knowledge through online courses, gaining a deeper understanding of national affairs, history, and culture. During the Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum, experts and scholars shared their professional insights on issues such as rule alignment, youth development, and youth responsibilities. This broadened my horizons and brought me many benefits. I realized the profound relevance of law to society, economy, and culture, which enabled me to approach legal issues from a broader perspective. This exchange and learning experience has clarified my role and mission, and strengthened my determination to strive for my goals. I believe that we can continue to shine brightly in the field of law.
LEI HANG CHI (Master of Financial Crime and Regulation, Faculty of Law)
During the week-long exchange program, I had the privilege of visiting numerous locations. From the Supreme People's Court in the capital to discussions on upholding national security law with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and to visiting the International Arbitration Court, joint law firms, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Dream Factory, forums, the First Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court, and Tencent in Shenzhen. Through these exchanges, I gained a deeper understanding of the legal system in our motherland and its modernization efforts. In particular, during the Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum, I reflected deeply on the context of initiatives such as the Belt and Road and the Greater Bay Area, which the country has promoted in response to unprecedented global changes. Considering the differences in the judicial systems among the three regions, it is not enough to simply understand the rule of law construction in our motherland and integrate ourselves into the national development agenda. We should also strive to equip ourselves with a broader perspective and become legal professionals of higher caliber, contributing our efforts to the country's international path. I sincerely hope that the prosperity of Shenzhen can continue in the Greater Bay Area and extend to every corner of our country.
HO SIO LEONG (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
During this exchange program for youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland, my classmates and I visited many places. One of the most memorable visits for me was to the International Arbitration Center, where I was deeply impressed. Along the way, I also experienced the vibrant development and opportunities in the Nansha District of Shenzhen. Furthermore, during the Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum, I listened to valuable experiences and realized the need to align with the country's development and the importance for comprehensive legal professionals to have negotiation skills and the ability to solve problems using legal knowledge and language.
At the same time, during this event, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with senior students from mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau universities. Through these encounters and exchanges, I gained valuable insights and had many of my questions answered.
Finally, I am honored to have participated in this program. It not only broadened my horizons but also deepened my understanding of the current state and development of Chinese law, the legal profession, and technology companies. I have gained a more intuitive understanding of China's legal practice and achievements.
XIE FOK U (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
Through this exchange program, I have gained a deeper understanding of Xi Jinping's ideology on the rule of law. These principles provide guidance and a foundation for China's rule of law construction. I have also come to recognize that the rule of law is the cornerstone of national governance, and that only by governing the country according to the law can we achieve social stability and justice.
The principle of "One Country, Two Systems" is an innovative institutional arrangement that requires continuous improvement and development in practice. Within the framework of "One Country, Two Systems," sanctions and countermeasures are important means to safeguard national security and uphold the principle of "One Country, Two Systems."
Participating in the Greater Bay Area Youth Rule of Law Forum was a rare experience in my life. It made me realize that as a member of the Greater Bay Area, we should actively participate in the construction of the rule of law and contribute our efforts to the prosperity and stability of the Greater Bay Area. Most importantly, through this forum, I realized that the rule of law in the Greater Bay Area needs continuous innovation and development.
Overall, the exchange program for youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland was a valuable opportunity for me, and I have gained a lot from it.
LAO SI U (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
Through visits to the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, the First Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court, and the Shenzhen International Arbitration Court, I deeply experienced the progress and achievements of China's rule of law construction. I gained an understanding of their work in upholding "One Country, Two Systems" and promoting the development of Hong Kong and Macau. These institutions play important roles in ensuring justice, protecting legal rights, and resolving international disputes. The visits to Tencent, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Dream Factory, and the joint law firm of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau have also given me new insights into the integration of legal youth from Hong Kong and Macau into the development of the Greater Bay Area. Through these visits, I realized that legal youth from Hong Kong and Macau can play a significant role in the construction of the Greater Bay Area. They can contribute to the development of the Greater Bay Area through innovation, entrepreneurship, and legal services.
MOK KA IM HOU (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
After a week of offline exchanges and online learning, I believe that Xi Jinping's ideology on the rule of law creatively addresses and resolves major theoretical and practical issues of "governing China" and "governing the world" that other theoretical doctrines struggle to solve. This epoch-making and advanced ideology has laid a solid foundation for the rule of law with Chinese characteristics under socialism, provided a clear path for legal youth in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and offered boundless possibilities for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Previously, I believed that the legal systems in Hong Kong and Macau were vastly different from the mainland and were difficult to integrate. However, after the visit, I discovered that this was not the case. The Greater Bay Area has already created broad development space and opportunities for the youth in Hong Kong and Macau. As a student in the Faculty of Law, if given the opportunity, I would definitely want to come to the Greater Bay Area and contribute to the integration and progress of the legal systems in both regions.
NG HEI MAN (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
Listening to Xi Jinping's ideology on the rule of law helps people to have a more comprehensive understanding of the current status and future development direction of China's rule of law construction. Learning from the experiences and practices of Xi Jinping's ideology on the rule of law in the field of legal reform reveals the problems that exist in China's rule of law construction.
The online course segment on "One Country, Two Systems" made me understand the importance of adhering to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the need for comprehensive consideration, careful planning, and coordinated actions from both the national legal level and the level of Hong Kong and Macau's autonomy to establish a sound framework for "One Country, Two Systems."
After visiting the Supreme People's Court and the circuit court, I felt the rich atmosphere of legal knowledge, and I hope to have the opportunity to work in a court in the future. When I heard the sharing from the judges, I realized that legal knowledge is endless, and there is still much more to learn.
FOK UT TENG (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
Through listening to Xi Jinping's principled contributions to the ideology of the rule of law, I have deepened my understanding of China's legal construction and gained insights into legal reform in China. Additionally, I believe it is important for us to adhere to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and firmly protect national security. The places I visited left a strong impression of the legal atmosphere, and I also hope to work in those places in the future. After visiting the Central Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, the Supreme People's Court, the First Circuit Court of the Supreme Court, and the Shenzhen International Arbitration Court, I believe that technology plays a crucial role in the field of law and can alleviate many unnecessary burdens. During the Youth Rule of Law Forum in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, I heard speeches from numerous young people and lawyers, which made me feel that there are many possibilities in the field of law and a brighter future ahead.
LUO JIA FAN (Bachelor of Laws, Faculty of Law)
The rule of law worldview is the fundamental perspective on the rule of law that people form through their practical activities and historical development. It provides the conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating development issues, thereby providing a comprehensive vision and explanatory significance for transforming the rule of law. "One Country, Two Systems" is a policy implemented by the Chinese government to achieve peaceful reunification, maintain national unity, and promote ethnic solidarity. Within this framework, Hong Kong and Macau have a high degree of autonomy in political, cultural, and economic aspects, but they are still an integral part of China. After visiting the Supreme People's Court, it appeared even more solemn and dignified in my mind. When I saw the Supreme Court, I felt the majesty of the law. We should continuously expand the depth and breadth of the rule of law construction in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and create more innovative and practically valuable theories and achievements. We should stand in solidarity with our motherland and keep pace with the times. Let us be the pioneers, explorers, and contributors in promoting China's modernization process, and let our youth shine brightly in the great cause of building our motherland.